The New York Knicks are off to a 3-0 start, and though the absence of power forward Amare Stoudemire has been noted in this stretch, keep in mind that the Knicks are also without swingman Iman Shumpert, who tore the ACL in his left knee in the opening game of the playoffs against the Heat last year. Shumpert had surgery in May and has been targeting a January return.

While there have been encouraging signs that Shumpert is ahead of schedule, he told the New York Post’s Marc Berman that he is planning on taking his time in returning and that the possibility of a December return is all but out of the question.

“What you all are saying is not what we’re going by,” Shumpert said. “January, February is what we’re aiming for. I’m just trying to get healthy. When I get healthy, I’ll return to the court. I’m not going to come back and not be able to do the things I did last year and a little more. I want to come back and add something.”

Shumpert averaged 9.5 points last year as a rookie, struggling with his shooting at 40.1 percent from the field and 30.6 percent from the 3-point line. But he established himself as a top-notch perimeter defender and figures to eventually take over as the Knicks’ shooting guard. In the meantime, the Knicks have been starting Jason Kidd and Ronnie Brewer on the wings, though Kidd will move to the bench when Stoudemire (knee surgery) comes back to the lineup next month.